Washington approved of his measures. “I have seen General Lee since his expedition,” writes he, “and hope Rhode Island will derive some advantage from it. I am told that Captain Wallace’s ships have been supplied for some time by the town of Newport, on certain conditions stipulated between him and the committee. * * * I know not what pernicious consequences may result from a precedent of this sort. Other places, circumstanced as Newport is, may follow the example, and by that means their whole fleet and army will be furnished with what it highly concerns us to keep from them. * * * Vigorous regulations, and such as at another time would appear extraordinary, are now become absolutely necessary for preserving our country against the strides of tyranny, making against it.”[38] December had been throughout a month of severe trial to Washington; during which he saw his army dropping away piecemeal before his eyes. Homeward every face was turned as soon as the term of enlistment was at an end. Scarce could the disbanding troops be kept a few days in camp until militia could be procured to supply their place. Washington made repeated and animated appeals to their patriotism; they were almost unheeded. He caused popular and patriotic songs to be sung about the camp. They passed by like the idle wind. Home! home! home! throbbed in every heart. “The desire of retiring into a chimney-corner,” says Washington reproachfully, “seized the troops as soon as their terms expired.” Can we wonder at it? They were for the most part yeomanry, unused to military restraint, and suffering all the hardships of a starveling camp, almost within sight of the smoke of their own firesides. Greene, throughout this trying month, was continually by Washington’s side. His letters expressing the same cares and apprehensions, and occasionally in the same language with those of the commander-in-chief, show how completely he was in his councils. He could well sympathize with him in his solicitudes. Some of his own Rhode Island troops were with Arnold in his Canada expedition. Others encamped on Prospect Hill, and whose order and discipline had been his pride, were evincing the prevalent disposition to disband. “They seem to be so sick of this way of life, and so homesick,” writes he, “that I fear the greater part of the best troops from our colony will soon go home.” To provide against such a contingency, he strengthened his encampment, so that, “if the soldiery should not engage as cheerfully as he expected, he might defend it with a less number.”[39] Still he was buoyant and cheerful; frequently on his white horse about Prospect Hill, haranguing his men, and endeavoring to keep them in good humor. “This is no time for disgusting the soldiery,” would he say, “when their aid is so essential to the preservation of the rights of human nature and the liberties of America.”